HOMESCHOOLING RESOURCES | XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX COVID-19 RESPONSE Homeschooling Resources

© ADOBE STOCK HOMESCHOOLING RESOURCES | GETTING STARTED Getting Started With the need to episode sees scientist Steve Spangler tackle a science topic practice social with hands-on experiments distancing has come and analysis. Discovery Education is the need for many offering its entire library of parents to be first-time science content available free to any school or teacher that homeschool teachers. requests it. Email your school or school district to ask about Depending on how many setting up access. resources your school has pro- If your child is interested in vided, tracking down the computer programming, take needed resources and materi- a look at Amazon’s Future als to get started can feel like a Engineer program at www. daunting task. edhesive.com/amazon/free_ A good starting point for access. The program is being core subjects is the Core offered free to U.S.-based par- Knowledge Foundation (www. ents during the COVID-19- coreknowledge.org.) The orga- related school closures. nization offers detailed curric- Courses include basic coding ular guidance, which lays out for middle-schoolers, and what children should know at courses in Python, AP com- each grade, as well as provides puter science and Java pro- some of the needed materials. gramming for high-schoolers. TeachersPayTeachers.com, where teachers make educa- SOCIAL STUDIES tional resources they’ve creat- Head to Thought.co for a list ed available for a fee, or some- of free printable social studies times for free, is another good worksheets covering every- starting point. © ADOBE STOCK thing from Medieval times to Here are some more ideas World War II to Black History and free online resources to teachers, which allows them Check out the Storyline Online time each day. Ask younger Month. help you begin your homes- to assign content for students channel on YouTube, where kids to make a video journal For more visual learners, the chooling journey. to cover and track their prog- celebrities read children’s about what’s happening each Crash Course channel on ress. While you’re there, check books for the camera, along day and how they feel. Older YouTube features fun animat- MATH out the other course offerings, with illustrations. The channel kids can write anywhere from ed videos for kids about a Khan Academy is useful for which include science and comes from the SAG-AFTRA a couple of sentences to a few range of topics, including students (and parents) who engineering, arts and human- Foundation’s award-winning paragraphs each day. world, U.S. and European his- struggle with math. Founder ities, social-emotional learn- children’s literacy website tory. Some titles have included Salman Khan publishes short ing, economics and finance, Storyline Online, and has fea- SCIENCE “World War II,” “Economic videos explaining math con- computing, test prep and tured readings by Betty White, The web has a wealth of Depression and Dictators,” cepts. Then students can prac- more. Oprah Winfrey, Kristen Bell, resources for science educa- “Post World War II Society and tice what they know with James Earl Jones and Al Gore. tion. If your children are visual Economy,” “The Monarchy: online practice questions and READING To keep kids writing and learners, check out the TV European History,” and “The quizzes. The site covers math Research shows that it’s help them process their feel- series Xploration DIY Sci, Atomic Bomb.” Similarly, the concepts from basic counting good for children to not just ings about the upheaval in available through Amazon LibertyKidsTV YouTube chan- through high school AP class- read on their own but to have their schedule, include journ- Prime Video and through nel covers American history es. Parents can sign up as books read aloud to them. aling in their language arts some cable TV packages. Each through animated videos. HOMESCHOOLING RESOURCES | ONLINE RESOURCES Virtual Field Trips You can’t venture out into public to visit landmarks and popular attractions, but you can still take a field trip, via technology. (Plus no bumpy bus ride or 20+ screaming kids to deal with.)

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Boeing offers looks at the Johnson Space Center and more through its Future U website (www.boeingfutureu. com/virtual-field-trip). Or check out how manufacturing works with virtual field trip vid- eos from ManufactureYour Future.com (https://bit.ly/33D- JGvp). Arizona State University immerses students in U.S. AIR FORCE 360-degree images shot at sci- Screenshot of the Cold War Gallery from the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force’s virtual tour website. entific points of interest all over the world at https://vft.asu. ANIMALS marks. (“The Eiffel tower is a viewers to a zoo animal and well as a milk and cheese pro- edu/. Locations include the You could also let kids wrought iron lattice tower on answer questions live. The first cessing facility, among others. Grand Canyon, a Panamanian explore Google Earth (www. the Champs de Mars in Paris, episode saw Fiona the hippo rainforest, Australian archaeo- google.com/earth), which France.”) You also can see addi- greeting eager viewers from her ARTS AND CULTURE logical sites, Mesoamerican combines satellite and aerial tional photographs of many enclosure at the zoo. You can even visits many pyramids in Mexico and the images into what Google bills locations. Aquariums offer similar vir- museums across the globe vir- terrain of Mars. as “the world’s most detailed Technology makes it easy to tual experiences. Check out the tually. Good Housekeeping The Nature Conservancy globe.” “Visit” natural and take a trip to the zoo. Tune in to Monterey Bay Aquarium’s rounds up the best offerings at (https://bit.ly/397orDi) also manmade wonders all over the the panda cam at the “Jellycam” to see what the jelly- https://bit.ly/2WFvZL4. (They offers online virtual tours of world, state and national parks, Smithsonian National Zoo in fish are up to, or take a virtual also include zoos, aquariums everything from the deserts monuments, historical sites Washington, D.C., the Atlanta tour of the National Aquarium and theme parks.) and grasslands of Africa to an and more. Fly over the Zoo or the San Diego Zoo. The or Seattle Aquarium. Check out Google Arts and island powered entirely by Matterhorn or hover over the Cincinnati Zoo is offering At www.farmfood360.ca, you Culture’s massive collection at solar energy to a scuba diving Great Barrier Reef. Read Facebook Live videos called can take a tour of all things https://artsandculture.google. adventure in the waters off the “knowledge cards,” which pro- Home Safari each weekday, in agriculture: a grain farm, chick- com, including a guided tour Dominican Republic. vide basic info about land- which zookeepers introduce en, pig, sheep and cow arms, as option. HOMESCHOOLING RESOURCES | ARTS AND CRAFTS Get Creative with Crafts Being cooped up at home doesn’t mean you can’t have a ton of fun being creative at the dining room table. Crafts will keep the little ones busy and keep their creativity blooming.

Since a trip to the store for supplies is not a good idea right now, here are some ideas from around the web for easy projects you can do with com- mon household items and basic crafting supplies.

MAKE CARDS Paper crafts are the most basic of crafts. All you need is construction paper (even print- er paper will do in a pinch), some markers or crayons, and your creativity. USA Today reports that since nursing homes have had to stop allow- © ADOBE STOCK ing visitors, they are asking children to send cards to bags and line them up down a falle pasta into butterflies. Have ners-guide. Lush-inspired bath brighten their residents’ days. make-believe street. Visit fun decorating the “wings,” bombs are simple to make, (Scanning or taking photos and https://bit.ly/2QEiur9 for tem- then glue your creations to with baking soda, citric acid emailing them might be a bet- plates. construction paper. Use a per- (used for pickling) and corn- ter option at this point, howev- Paper bag monster puppets: manent marker to draw on the starch as the main ingredients. er, to avoid spreading germs.) Another easy, fun way to use antennae and other details. Check out a tutorial from paper bags is to turn them into Find the instructions here: TheSpruce.com at https://bit. PAPER BAG CRAFTS puppets. First paint the bags https://bit.ly/2wAnw0K. ly/2Ud6QFF.

All you need is a package of with acrylic paint. Then glue on © ADOBE STOCK paper bags and a few other eyes, stripes, horns, teeth and CRAFTS FOR TWEENS basic supplies to make these other fun details made of con- Older kids might want proj- GET OUTSIDE magazine offers ideas for mak- fun crafts. struction paper. Get ideas here: ects with more detail and Going outdoors is copacetic, ing your own bubbles (https:// Paper bag village: With the https://bit.ly/2wAnjdY. options to personalize the craft provided you keep your dis- bit.ly/3bpWWWT) and side- provided template, you can cut to their interests. They can tance from neighbors. So why walk chalk (https://bit. and color an entire village, then PASTA BUTTERFLIES learn the basics of origami at not whip up some outdoors ly/2y4Z2NJ) from materials you glue your “buildings” to the Acrylic paints can turn far- https://origami.me/begin- fun for your family? Highlights probably already have at home. HOMESCHOOLING RESOURCES | REAL-LIFE SKILLS Teach Independence Skills Can your 12-year-old project, such as planting a gar- den or redecorating their bed- wash his own clothes room, or a short-term project, and cook a meal for such as building a craft or small wood project, or the family? Can you hand-making a Halloween cos- 5-year-old brush her tume. Let them research, plan and execute the project, only teeth, comb her hair providing input when abso- and wash her face lutely necessary. With all independence skills, without help? If not, it’s important to know that take the opportunity your child will not “get it right” the first time. There will be lots to start working on of wrinkled laundry and half- independence skills cooked chicken — and lots of patience required on your part. with your kids. Kids learn from failure. It’s your job to remind them that you Parents have a lot to do, so believe they can do it, and teaching your kids indepen- encourage them to learn a les- dence skills not only prepares son from their failure and try them for life, but if frees up again. some of your time and reduces Also keep in mind that they your stress level. It’s a win-win. might be more willing to take It does, however, require effort ownership of a task when you and a lot of trial and error. allow them to do it their own If you aren’t sure which skills way. They might be perfectly your kids should have at which happy to wear a wrinkled shirt, age, check out Family and you might have to be OK Education.com’s age-by-age with that. guide to life skills at https://bit. For more help teaching ly/2WAt0U1. independence skills, follow HR Here are some ideas on skills Mom on Facebook. Melissa B. to teach while you’re spending Griffin says her advice is “for a lot of time at home. parents who realize they have ONE JOB: to work themselves CHORES out of a job.” She offers ideas

Laundry, cooking and yard © ADOBE STOCK for teaching independence work are all appropriate and leadership skills. In one age-level skills for children 10 or chopping vegetables, and schoolers can benefit from a and their education. post, she challenged her and above, according to encourage your children to picture schedule to start learn- 15-year-old son to take on the FamilyEducation.com. (After work their way up to full inde- ing time management, and PROJECTS task of replacing a broken all, if kids can work a video pendence. grade-schoolers should be Giving kids projects to do headlight on the family car, game controller, they can cer- learning to plan long-term can help them learn and take including finding and purchas- tainly work a washing ORGANIZATION projects and set priorities. pride in their own indepen- ing the part, and using a machine.) If you haven’t taught Ask kids to make a schedule Teens should learn about bal- dence. Let your child choose a YouTube video to learn how to these skills, start with small for their day. According to ancing socializing (including project of which to take owner- complete the repair and finish- tasks, such as sorting laundry Scholastic.com, even pre- time spent on social media) ship. This can be a long-term ing the job. HOMESCHOOLING RESOURCES | MENTAL HEALTH Staying Social Social distancing doesn’t mean we need to be lonely. Staying in touch during challenging times can help us stay emotionally healthy.

“Anxiety, unease and miss- ing your connections with friends, family and others can take a toll on well-being,” said Professor Dana M. Litt, PhD, of the University of North Texas. “While physical distancing is what’s being called for right now, we shouldn’t underesti- mate the basic human need for social support and interac- tion. Not only does it enrich our lives, it also keeps us happy and well.”

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH NEIGHBORS Ahead of St. Patrick’s Day, a viral social media post urged neighborhoods to play a game in which people put up paper shamrocks on their windows and doors, allowing neighbors © ADOBE STOCK to go on a shamrock hunt. Another creative idea has been members is a great way to PhD, of UNT added, “Let them CONNECT WITH our community is more having children decorate their keep family connections know the seriousness of what YOUR COMMUNITY important now than ever, sidewalks with sidewalk chalk strong. we’re facing right now and Social media sites such as despite the challenges. Also messages and pictures for their “For many young adults, offer them alternatives for Nextdoor are a great way to check with local organizations neighbors to see while taking communicating online is a staying close with their friends learn about needs in your for ways to volunteer from walks around the neighbor- major part of their social life, in new and different ways.” immediate community and home. hood. Think of creative ways to and especially so when they Facebook Messenger offers help meet them. Hospitals in some areas keep your neighborhood in can’t be face-to-face with a chat service for kids that For example, perhaps a have asked for homemade touch from a distance. friends,” said Litt. Younger allows parents to approve all neighbor is collecting face face masks (ask your hospital kids also need the continued contacts. Alternatively, allow masks for hospitals. Perhaps before donating), and some KEEP IN TOUCH WITH connections to their peers kids to connect via FaceTime an elderly neighbor needs charities could use volunteers FRIENDS AND FAMILY that play dates provide. or Google Hangouts, as well as help getting to the grocery to make phone calls from Checking in on family Professor Melissa A. Lewis, monitored online games. store. Staying in touch with home. HOMESCHOOLING RESOURCES | REAL-LIFE LESSONS Learn about Germs It’s a great time to teach your kids about germs and, in particular, COVID-19. This exercise can serve as a science lesson while helping ease kids’ anxiety about the threat of the disease.

PBS.org recommends providing toms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, your children with age-appropriate shortness of breath, and in some information about the disease, reas- cases, flu-like symptoms), so they can suring kids that they are safe and report them to you if they experience many people are working to keep us them. healthy, and teaching kids how to take reasonable hygiene precautions to TEACH ABOUT PREVENTION prevent the spread of disease. Educating children about their role in preventing spread of disease helps ABOUT THE DISEASE them feel in control of some part of Learning about COVID-19 can help the situation. Talk about the impor- allay fears children may have about tance of proper handwashing, sneez- the disease. KidsHealth.org recom- ing or coughing into their elbow, mends first asking what your children social distancing, not touching their already knows about the disease. If faces, eating well and getting enough your kids don’t seem interested in sleep. talking about the issue, that’s OK. If Teeangers are old enough to have a they do want to talk, answer any ques- more adult conversation about their tions they have honestly, and if you role in preventing the disease and don’t know the answer, be honest take in media about the toll the dis- about that, too. Speak calmly and be ease is taking. reassuring. If your children are getting informa- TEACH A LESSON tion from questionable sources, such If you’re homeschooling, consider as sensationalized websites or click- doing a unit about viruses, including bait headlines, talk to them about coronavirus. BrainPop’s animated evaluating their sources of informa- explanation of the virus is a good tion. Offer appropriate sources of place to start. It’s part of an entire les- information for children, such as the son on viruses, including quizzes, CNN 10 news show (https://www.cnn. worksheets, recommended reading, a com/cnn10), Student News Daily graphic organizer and related games. (www.studentnewsdaily.com) or PBS See the lesson at https://bit.ly/3af- NewsHour Extra (www.pbs.org/news- 5pvT. hour/extra). German science content provider Check in with your children often to Kurzgesagt: In a Nutshell, also offers a see what new information they’ve kid-appropriate explainer of the dis- been taking in about the disease, so ease. Watch it at https://bit. you can answer any new questions ly/2vP37oA. they might have. Be sure they are not The National Science Teaching obsessing and constantly taking in Association offers a list of resources information about the pandemic. for teaching about coronavirus at Be sure children know the symp- https://bit.ly/39aB3JX. © ADOBE STOCK HOMESCHOOLING RESOURCES | COMMUNITY Stay Engaged Locally The COVID-19 outbreak has reminded us all how much we depend on each other.

As we deal with the effects of social distancing at a time when our local communities need us more than ever, it’s important to bring kids into the conversation about com- munity. Here is a list of ways you can engage with your local com- munity during this challeng- ing time and help your kids form good habits for the future. Local business: Teach your children about how local busi- nesses keep the local economy afloat, and how important it is to continue supporting local businesses during the eco- nomic slowdown caused by social distancing. Buy gift cer- tificates to businesses whose services you can’t use right now and put them away for later or give them as gifts. Local museums: Check to see if your local museums are offering virtual tours or live online activities. Plan visits when they reopen.

Local seniors: Since corona- © ADOBE STOCK virus is particularly threaten- ing to senior citizens, have up grocery orders for seniors Take in local scenery by ery and drive-thru are still an This will allow you to contrib- your child help you brain- in the community. painting or photographing it. option. Enjoy all the foods ute to the local economy storm ways to help our your Local nature: Go for a walk Consider hosting an online your local eateries have to during lean times, and per- community’s seniors. This around your neighborhood photo or art contest for kids offer. Encourage kids to try haps provide a product or ser- could include organizing a and appreciate all it has to featuring their neighborhood’s new flavors and types of food. vice that’s vital to the COVID- group of children to sing to offer. Look up information flora and fauna. Local startup: If you are out 19 community response. Allow seniors by video conferencing about birds in your area and Local food: Dine-in might of work, consider starting a kids to help with advertising or organizing an effort to pick try to identify them. be closed, but take-out, deliv- small, local family business. and social media.